Senior Product Development Manager

SanMar- External • Issaquah, WA

1d • $100,000 - $165,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Product Development Manager manages product lines, develops products, and leads a team of product developers. The role leads development and production across multiple product categories and brands, overseeing the process from initial concept through commercialization and production. It develops product strategies with design and merchandising teams to drive new product development, cost savings, responsible sourcing, and customer satisfaction, while maintaining supplier relationships and ensuring on-time delivery of quality products. The manager also trains and develops junior staff within the Product Development Team.

The position is hybrid, based at SanMar’s Eastpointe office in Issaquah, Washington. Employees work in the office Tuesday through Thursday, with additional office days potentially added based on business needs. Standard working hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST. Frequent domestic and international travel is required to meet suppliers and visit factories. The role involves extended periods sitting at a computer and participating in meetings, frequent keyboarding and use of standard office equipment, occasional standing, walking, reaching, and occasionally lifting or moving up to 10–15 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be available for essential job functions.

Requirements

• At least 8 years of experience in product development and production management, or equivalent education.
• Deep understanding of garment and textile manufacturing processes, factory evaluation techniques, and vendor compliance requirements.
• High-level understanding of forecasting, buy planning, factory loading, and capacity planning.
• Knowledge of component costing, including garment construction, raw material options, and landing factors.
• Sound understanding of international trade agreements, HTS codes, customs regulations, and product safety standards.
• Strong ability to interact effectively with global supply chain contacts at all management levels.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to clearly articulate goals and objectives.
• Strong problem-solving skills and a results-driven mindset.
• Strong people skills, professionalism, conflict-resolution ability, and ability to contribute to a positive work environment.
• Ability to travel internationally frequently.

Responsibilities

• Lead product development strategy and processes from design, materials, and trim concepts through manufacturable, high-quality, commercialized products, managing the product lifecycle through prototype approvals and top of production.
• Manage vendor relationships for product lines, negotiate prices, and resolve issues.
• Negotiate costs and manage product margin for assigned brands and categories.
• Explore and research technologies, concepts, and materials that may add value to SanMar.
• Research emerging material, trim, and style trends by attending material and industry shows and meeting with suppliers, mills, and factories to present ideas.
• Travel domestically and internationally to meet suppliers and visit factories.
• Develop fabrics, trims, and styles with suppliers, and oversee color development and management, including lab dips and bulk materials.
• Collaborate with the Sourcing team to establish new business relationships, evaluate suppliers, review vendor scorecards, and develop vendor improvement plans.
• Collaborate with the Sourcing team to develop risk mitigation strategies for key programs and evaluate risks associated with materials, trims, and products.
• Work with Technical Design to support an efficient fit process, minimize prototypes, address quality concerns, and propose alternative construction for cost considerations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on seasonal product design and engineering and propose viable new products to brand partners.
• Execute seasonal development calendars to meet deadlines, costing KPIs, and quality standards.
• Manage monthly capacity and work-in-progress reports to support on-time delivery, and work with planning to balance order flows with supplier capabilities and capacity.
• Manage suppliers to ensure products are delivered on time and meet SanMar quality and compliance requirements.
• Ensure the global quality program is executed throughout the product development lifecycle and support social compliance and safety requirements across the supply base.
• Coach and develop direct reports and the Product Development team toward professional and department goals through consistent feedback and evaluations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Comply with all policies and standards.

Benefits

• Annual discretionary bonus opportunity of up to 10% of base salary.
• Paid time off accrued bi-weekly based on hours worked, up to 112 hours per year to start.
• Eight paid holidays and one paid family day off.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits.
• 401(k) plan with a dollar-for-dollar match up to 4% of earnings; matched and vested each pay cycle.
• Life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid maternity and paternity leave.
• Pet insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed